Apixaban to Prevent Covert Infarcts After Cryptogenic Stroke in Patients With Atrial Cardiopathy: A Secondary Analysis of the ARCADIA Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: In the Atrial Cardiopathy and Antithrombotic Drugs in Prevention After Cryptogenic Stroke (ARCADIA) randomized clinical trial, anticoagulation did not prevent recurrent stroke among patients with a recent cryptogenic stroke and atrial cardiopathy. It is unknown whether anticoagulation prevents covert infarcts in this population.

Objective: To test the use of apixaban vs aspirin for prevention of nonlacunar covert infarcts after cryptogenic stroke in patients with atrial cardiopathy.

Essential Thrombocythemia: A Review.

Importance: Essential thrombocythemia, a clonal myeloproliferative neoplasm with excessive platelet production, is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis and bleeding. The annual incidence rate of essential thrombocythemia in the US is 1.5/100 000 persons.

Stress regulatory hormones and cancer: the contribution of epinephrine and cancer therapeutic value of beta blockers.

The word "cancer" evokes myriad emotions, ranging from fear and despair to hope and determination. Cancer is aptly defined as a complex and multifaceted group of diseases that has unapologetically led to the loss of countless lives and affected innumerable families across the globe. The battle with cancer is not only a physical battle, but also an emotional, as well as a psychological skirmish for patients and for their loved ones.

An Algorithmic Overview of Advanced Pain Therapies: A Narrative Review.

Purpose Of Review: Quickly referenceable, streamlined, algorithmic approaches for advanced pain management are lacking for patients, trainees, non-pain specialists, and interventional specialists. This manuscript aims to address this gap by proposing a comprehensive, evidence-based algorithm for managing neuropathic, nociceptive, and cancer-associated pain. Such an algorithm is crucial for pain medicine education, offering a structured approach for patient care refractory to conservative management.

Cross-Sectional Comparison of Structural MRI Markers of Impairment in a Diverse Cohort of Older Adults.

Neurodegeneration is presumed to be the pathological process measure most proximal to clinical symptom onset in Alzheimer Disease (AD). Structural MRI is routinely collected in research and clinical trial settings. Several quantitative MRI-based measures of atrophy have been proposed, but their low correspondence with each other has been previously documented.

Functional independence trajectories over 5 years in older veterans with traumatic brain injury: A model systems study.

Background: Research on older adults who sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has predominantly been on civilian, nonveteran populations. Military populations experience higher rates of TBI and often experience the additive effects of TBI and other comorbid disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder and/or substance use that may increase disability over time.

Objective: To investigate predictors of functional independence trajectories over the 5 years after TBI in veterans 55 years or older at injury.

Genetic Variants of GBP4: Reduced Risks for Drug-Induced Acute Liver Failure in Non-Finnish European Population.

Background And Aims: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a serious condition, typically in individuals without prior liver disease. Drug-induced ALF (DIALF) constitutes a major portion of ALF cases. Our research aimed to identify potential genetic predispositions to DIALF.

Increasing trends of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in youth: The grass is not always greener.

This study investigated trends in suspected cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS)-related emergency department visits among youth (15-24 years old) in the United States between 2006 and 2020. Using data from the Nationwide Emergency Room Sample, over 55,000 suspected CHS-related visits were identified, with an average annual increase of 28.1% per year.

Forest edge landscape context affects mosquito community composition and risk of pathogen emergence.

Forest edges, where humans, mosquitoes, and wildlife interact, may serve as a nexus for zoonotic arbovirus exchange. Although often treated as uniform interfaces, the landscape context of edge habitats can greatly impact ecological interactions. Here, we investigated how the landscape context of forest edges shapes mosquito community structure in an Amazon rainforest reserve near the city of Manaus, Brazil, using hand-nets to sample mosquitoes at three distinct forest edge types.

Cognitive dissonance as a reason for low perceived HIV risk among Black women.

Existing HIV-related literature affirms that Black women in the US have a low perceived risk of HIV. Yet, Black women consistently experience higher HIV incidence than other women. The ability of HIV risk perception to influence HIV prevention behaviors remains unclear.

Risk and Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Mexican Americans with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) disproportionately affects Hispanic persons with higher age-specific incidence and increased mortality rates compared to non-Hispanic Whites. These high rates of incidence and mortality may be explained by the variation in risk factors. Given the high prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) among the Hispanic population, we aimed to assess the risk and prognosis of HCC in Mexican Americans with type 2 DM with consideration of treatment for DM.

Recent Developments in Ventricular Assist Device Therapy.

The evolution of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) from large, pulsatile systems to compact, continuous-flow pumps has significantly improved implantation outcomes and patient mobility. Minimally invasive surgical techniques have emerged that offer reduced morbidity and enhanced recovery for LVAD recipients. Innovations in wireless power transfer technologies aim to mitigate driveline-related complications, enhancing patient safety and quality of life.

Massive Carbon Black Inhalation.

Carbon black is the general term for a powdery commercial form of carbon. It can cause adverse health effects after inhalation, ingestion, or dermal contact. Exposure to carbon black particles can have adverse effects on the respiratory system; this exposure usually occurs when people inhale contaminated air in the workplace.

Continuation Versus Interruption of Anticoagulation During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) involves complex decisions regarding perioperative anticoagulation, with continuation or interruption of oral anticoagulation presenting distinct risks and benefits. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the clinical outcomes of these two strategies during TAVI. We conducted a comprehensive literature search across multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, from inception to November 2024.

Refined Approach to the Treatment of Caseous Calcification of the Mitral Annulus: A Case Report.

Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus (CCMA) is a rare variant of mitral annular calcification (MAC), in which the core of the calcification undergoes a caseous transformation. CCMA can cause dysfunction of the mitral valve or embolization of caseous material, requiring surgery. There is currently no clear consensus on the optimal treatment strategy for CCMA.

Assessment of Contributing Risk Factors Leading to Heart Failure in Patients Who Are Methamphetamine Users.

Background: Methamphetamine abuse is a public health problem across the world, and the cardiovascular system experiences a significant effect on the myocardium over time. Methamphetamine is a common cause of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The prevalence and risk factors for HFpEF and HFrEF in this patient population remain unclear.

Characterization of Pancreatic Collagen-Expressing Fibroblasts in Mouse Acute Pancreatitis.

Background And Aims: Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are critical mediators in chronic pancreatitis with an undefined role in acute pancreatitis (AP). PSCs consist of a heterogenous group of cells and are considered interchangeable with pancreatic fibroblasts. This study explored the heterogeneous nature of PSCs by characterizing pancreatic collagen-expressing fibroblasts (PCFs) via lineage tracing in mouse normal and AP pancreas and determining the effect of PCF depletion in AP.

Development of a guide for continuous positive airway pressure use - A good fit: Making continuous positive airway pressure work for you.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent in veterans with mental illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Untreated OSA reduces the effectiveness of the treatment of PTSD. Treatment of OSA has been shown to reduce daytime sleepiness and symptoms of PTSD and depression.

Sympathetic innervation of interscapular brown adipose tissue is not a predominant mediator of Oxytocin (OT)-elicited reductions of body weight gain and adiposity in male diet-induced obese rats.

Recent studies indicate that central administration of oxytocin (OT) reduces body weight (BW) in high fat diet-induced obese (DIO) rodents by reducing energy intake and increasing energy expenditure (EE). Previous studies in our lab have shown that administration of OT into the fourth ventricle (4V; hindbrain) elicits weight loss and stimulates interscapular brown adipose tissue temperature (T) in DIO rats. We hypothesized that OT-elicited stimulation of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation of IBAT contributes to its ability to activate BAT and reduce BW in DIO rats.

Difficulties with positive, but not negative, emotion regulation moderate the association between positive alcohol expectancies and alcohol use in college students.

Background: Positive alcohol expectancies are linked to increased alcohol use among college students. Difficulties regulating emotion have been shown to moderate this relationship, though little research accounts for differences based on the valence of the emotion being regulated.

Objective: To examine the independent moderating roles of positive and negative emotion dysregulation on the association between positive alcohol expectancies and alcohol use.

A 5-year single-center review of seropositivity in kidney transplant candidates in Central Texas.

Introduction: is a soil-transmitted helminth that can lead to life-threatening hyperinfection in transplant recipients. Targeted screening based on social history alone may preclude a large proportion of seropositive patients. Our institution implemented universal screening for kidney transplant candidates.

Surgery for the Treatment of HPV-Negative Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is associated with worse survival when compared to HPV-positive OPSCC. Primary surgery is one option to intensify therapy in this high-risk group of patients. Unfortunately, the only randomized trial to explore this approach (RTOG 1221) failed to accrue and the role of primary surgery in the treatment of HPV-negative OPSCC remains unanswered.